U.S. patent application number 11/824844 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for electronic bass drum.
Invention is credited to Mark David Steele.
Application Number | 20090007763 11/824844 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40220438 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090007763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steele; Mark David |
January 8, 2009 |
Electronic bass drum
Abstract
An Electronic Bass Drum includes one or more loudspeakers, an
internal amplifier system, an optional electronic drum module and
control panel, an impact sensitive electronic kick pad, an
attachment for a bass drum pedal, mounting hardware for tom toms or
other acoustic or electronic instruments, legs for stabilization,
one or more headset jacks for silent play, input jacks for other
instruments and/or microphones, and an ipod.TM. cradle for playing
along with music. All of which are enclosed in a cylindrical shell
which cosmetically matches the dimensions and design
characteristics of a conventional acoustic bass drum.
Inventors: |
Steele; Mark David; (New
Smyrna Bch., FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERENATO, WHITE & STAVISH, LLC
6550 ROCK SPRING DRIVE, SUITE 240
BETHESDA
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
40220438 |
Appl. No.: |
11/824844 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
84/746 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10H 3/146 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
84/746 |
International
Class: |
G10H 3/14 20060101
G10H003/14 |
Claims
1. An electronic bass drum assembly comprising; an outer shell
having a front planar wall and a side wall, said outer shell
defining an interior cavity; at least one loudspeaker disposed
within said interior cavity and mounted on said front planar wall;
an internal amplifier disposed within said interior cavity, said
internal amplifier electrically coupled to and powering said at
least one loudspeaker; a drum module disposed within said interior
cavity and electrically coupled to said amplifier; a plurality of
input jacks disposed on said outer shell, each of said input jacks
electrically coupled to one of said drum module and said internal
amplifier, wherein an external electronic device is connectable to
one of said input jacks and thereby in communication with a
corresponding one of said drum module and said internal amplifier
for sending an input signal thereto; a control panel disposed on
said outer shell, said control panel having a plurality of controls
in communication with at least one of said drum module and said
internal amplifier for controlling input signals thereto; and an
impact sensitive electronic drum kick pad electrically coupled to
said drum module.
2-16. (canceled)
17. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, wherein at least
one of said controls is a volume adjustment control.
18. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, wherein at least
one of said input jacks is electrically coupled to said internal
amplifier, and another of said input jacks is electrically coupled
to said drum module.
19. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, wherein at least
one of said controls is in communication with said drum module and
at least another of said controls is in communication with said
internal amplifier.
20. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising a switch operably associated with at least one of said
input jacks, said switch having a first position wherein the input
signals are routed to said drum module and a second position
wherein the input signals are routed to said amplifier, so that the
external electronic device is connectable to the associated input
jack and selectably in communication with one of said drum module
and said amplifier.
21. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, wherein said
external electronic device is selected from the group consisting of
an external electronic instrument, a microphone, and an external
drum module.
22. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, wherein said
control panel further comprises an MP3 player dock operably
associated with at least one of a headset jack and said internal
amplifier, said MP3 player dock connectable to an associated
external MP3 player.
23. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 22, further
comprising a plurality of headset jacks disposed on said outer
shell.
24. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 23, wherein said
headset jacks are disposed on said control panel.
25. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising an internal cooling fan disposed within said interior
cavity.
26. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising stabilization legs extending outwardly from said outer
shell.
27. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising mounting hardware configured for mounting additional
percussion instruments to said outer shell.
28. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising a cover configured for being mounted over at least a
portion of said front planar wall for protecting said at least one
loudspeaker.
29. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising an output jack operably disposed on said outer shell and
operably associated with said impact sensitive electronic drum kick
pad, a secondary drum module connectable to said impact sensitive
electronic drum kick pad via said output jack.
30. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising an output jack operably disposed on said outer shell and
operably associated with said at least one loudspeaker, an external
amplifier connectable to said at least one loudspeaker via said
output jack.
31. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of volume controls disposed on said outer
shell, each of said volume controls operably associated with a
corresponding one of said input jacks.
32. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 31, wherein said
plurality of volume controls are disposed on said control
panel.
33. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 1, further
comprising at least one equalizer control disposed on said outer
shell and operably associated with a corresponding one of said
input jacks.
34. The electronic bass drum assembly of claim 36, wherein said at
least one equalizer control is disposed on said control panel.
Description
REFERENCES CITED
[0001] U.S. Patent Documents:
TABLE-US-00001 3553339 January, 1971 Dominguez et al 6956596 March,
2003 Kuratani et al 3638753 August, 1970 Cunningham 7179985
February, 2007 Pickens 4732070 March, 1988 Yamashita
STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates generally to the field of musical
instruments and more specifically to a complete system for an
electronic bass drum.
[0005] Virtually every drum kit has a bass drum, whether it is an
acoustic set or an electronic set. This invention is designed to
replace current bass drums in every type of drum set.
[0006] In FIG. 1, a current technology acoustic drum set is
presented, including a conventional acoustic bass drum. Note that
there is the bass drum itself 21, a special bass drum microphone 22
and individual drum microphones 22a for picking up sounds when more
volume is required, an amplifier/mixer or P.A. device 23 and
speakers 24 to play the sounds to the audience. Also note that the
pitch and voice quality of the bass drum always remains the same,
and that the whole setup includes several components that are
usually spread out and inaccessible to the drummer, most notably
the volume control. And that each component usually has its own
heavy wooden case that adds to the weight and setup complexity of
the system.
[0007] FIG. 1a shows the same drum kit, except for the acoustic
bass drum which has been replaced by my invention 25. Note that all
of the peripheral amplification and sound equipment has also been
replaced, by my single instrument. And because the invention
includes an electronic drum module, the performer is able to
control the voice quality of the bass drum at will, and all volume
adjustment controls are readily available.
[0008] Current technology electronic drum sets FIG. 2, usually
include a pedal 26, an impact sensitive electronic kick pad 27, a
drum module 28 and an amplification system or P.A. 29 for
performing. There are advantages to using an electronic drum set.
The tonal quality of the drums is instantly variable; most modern
drum modules offer over 500 different sounds, and these sounds are
readily changeable depending upon the style of music played. Also,
there is usually a volume control that is easily within reach of
the drummer. But there are still drawbacks to existing technology.
An external amplification or P.A. system 29 still needs to be set
up.
[0009] In FIG. 2a, the electronic bass drum 25 replaces the current
kick pad, module, and amplification systems with a single, easily
transportable instrument.
[0010] Cosmetically, the classic bass drum shape is very much
desired by all drummers, and current electronic bass drum
technology is shunned by most conventional acoustic drummers for
this reason. And there is no system for mounting tom-toms or other
percussion instruments on the typical electronic bass drum. My
invention overcomes all of these limitations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the invention is to offer acoustic drummers a
bass drum with dozens of different sounds, that cosmetically
matches their existing sets.
[0012] Another object is to provide an amplification and speaker
system built into the shell of a conventional bass drum,
eliminating the need for separate components.
[0013] A further object is to have tom-tom and other mounting
brackets incorporated into an electronic bass drum.
[0014] Another object is to have a mounting system for electronic
pads that more closely resembles an acoustic set, eliminating bulky
racks currently in use.
[0015] Yet another object is to eliminate the need for a separate
drum module and all of the accompanying wires.
[0016] Another object is to have sound level and drum tone changes
readily available to the performer.
[0017] A further object is to have several acoustic drum microphone
jacks readily available.
[0018] Yet another object is to have multiple input jacks for the
internal drum module readily available.
[0019] Another object is to allow other band members the capability
of sharing the built-in amplification and speaker systems,
conceivably performing solely through this one device.
[0020] Yet another object is to incorporate a headset system for a
completely quiet band practice.
[0021] A further object is to allow for the use of an ipod.TM.
device for practice.
[0022] Other objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of
illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a common acoustic drum configuration using
current technology, as viewed from the front.
[0025] FIG. 1a shows the same drum set with components replaced by
the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a common electronic drum set using current
technology, as viewed from the rear.
[0027] FIG. 2a shows the same electronic drum set with components
replaced by the invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an overhead view from the right rear of the
invention showing the primary features.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a frontal view showing loudspeaker
installation.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view showing the internal components of
the invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 shows the electronic controls and external components
from the top rear of the invention, viewed from the right side.
[0032] FIG. 7 shows the auxiliary inputs panel on the right side of
the instrument.
[0033] FIG. 8 shows the headphone jack panel viewed from the left
side of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 9a shows a left rear view of an embodiment of the
invention for acoustic drum sets, without a built-in drum
module.
[0035] FIG. 9b shows a left rear view of an embodiment of the
invention for electronic drum sets, without a built-in drum
module.
[0036] FIG. 10 is a close-up view of the input and output panel
required when there is no built-in drum module.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a frontal view showing a speaker cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0039] FIG. 3 gives an overview of most of the essential parts of
an electronic bass drum in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, wherein the parts identical to those shown in FIGS. 3
through 11 are designated by the same reference numerals. A
cylindrical outer shell 30 is used which has dimensions that are
very similar to prior art acoustic bass drum shells. In fact, prior
art wooden or acrylic bass drum shells would be useable, and the
external finish of said outer shell would probably match the other
drums in each individual kit. Stabilization legs 31 and tom-tom
mounts 32 are widely available for prior art acoustic bass drums
and are useable in the invention as well. All other percussion
instrument mounting systems designed for conventional acoustic bass
drums will work on this electronic bass drum. The invention is
designed to cosmetically mimic existing acoustic bass drums to the
fullest extent possible. There is an attachment point 33 for
mounting a bass drum pedal at the rear of the invention, and an
impact-sensitive electronic drum kick pad 34 is installed for
striking with said bass drum pedal. The electronic kick pad signal
is sent to the integral drum module 36 that is part of the control
panel 35. There is an ipod.TM. receptacle 37 that allows the
drummer to practice along with music. There are several dual
purpose input jacks 38. Drummers who use electronic drums need
input jacks for their electronic pads. Acoustic drummers will want
input jacks for their drum microphones. A unique switch 39 changes
the function of the jacks, and routes all signals either to the
drum module in the case of electronic pads, or directly to the
internal amplifier in the case of microphones. Optional microphone
volume adjustment controls are shown in FIG. 9a, item 38a. The
auxiliary inputs panel 40 of FIG. 3 has several input jacks 56 that
allow other performers to play their instruments through the
internal amplifier of the invention. Each input to the amplifier
has an input volume control 57. There is also an auxiliary headset
panel 41 that allows several band members to listen to the combined
inputs to the internal amplifier, as well as the built-in drum
module 35 and ipod.TM. as desired. This arrangement is designed so
that an entire band can plug into the invention and practice
together silently through headsets, or perform together through the
integrated amplifier and speaker system.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the front end of the instrument, where one or
more loudspeakers or drivers can be mounted in a variety of ways.
In this embodiment, there is depicted a woofer 42, a mid-range
speaker 43 and a tweeter 44 all mounted to the forward wall 45.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the internal parts of the
instrument, and shows how several previously separate components
can be combined into a single instrument. The internal amplifier 46
is mounted to wall 48. There is an optional internal cooling fan 47
that circulates air throughout the invention, in order to prevent
the overheating of the electronics of the invention. The drum
module electronics are installed in a compartment 49 beneath the
main control panel in this embodiment. There is more than adequate
room for an array of speakers mounted on the forward wall 45.
[0042] FIG. 6 shows a close-up of the main control panel 35 for the
internal amplifier and the integral drum module. Note that this is
but one possible arrangement, and there are several ways to set up
the controls. All critical control functions are easily within
reach, starting with the master amplifier volume control knob 50.
The drum set select knob 52 enables the performer to quickly change
the tonal quality of the externally mounted kick pad 34 as well as
all other electronic percussion instruments plugged into the device
using the input jacks 38. The module output volume control knob 51
is used to vary the output level of the sounds sent from the drum
module to the amplifier. If several musicians were plugged into the
invention using the input panel 40 and the drum sound level was too
high for the group, this control would be used to lessen the sound
level of the drums only. Since most drummers use recorded music to
practice with, there is included an ipod.TM. dock 37 which holds a
standard ipod.TM. 37a. The output from the ipod.TM. can be heard
through the drummer's headphone jack 54 along with all other inputs
to the internal amplifier. A volume control 53 for the headset jack
54 is included.
[0043] The relative volume for all of the inputs can be controlled
by the drummer using the volume adjustment switches 55. Note that
all functions can be changed quickly and easily, and in many cases
levels will be adjusted during live play.
[0044] FIG. 7 shows the right side of the instrument where the
input panel 40 could be located. There is depicted a row of input
jacks 56 for other band members to plug in their electric
instruments, and each input has a volume control 57 and an
equalizer control 58. Two input jacks for microphones 59 are also
shown, with their respective volume control knobs 60. The number of
inputs may vary.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows the left side of the invention where the
headphones panel 41 could be located. There is depicted a row of
headset jacks 61 with each jack having its respective volume
control 62. The number of jacks may vary. The purpose of this panel
is to allow several musicians to listen to any or all of the inputs
to the internal amplifier, which may include a drum module, the
ipod.TM. and every musician or singer who is plugged into the
previously discussed input panel in FIG. 7. The purpose for this
arrangement is to allow an entire band to rehearse together in
situations where noise output from instruments or amplifiers is not
allowed, wherein every player can hear all other players
simultaneously, while also listening to an ipod.TM. song if
desired.
[0046] For drummers who already own drum modules and want a less
expensive electronic bass drum, two other embodiments of the
invention are offered in FIGS. 9a and 9b. Note that the control
panel 63 in both embodiments does not contain a drum module. The
embodiment shown in FIG. 9a is designed for drummers with acoustic
drum sets who already own or wish to use an external electronic
drum module. Microphone input jacks 38 used for the rest of the
acoustic set are shown with optional individual volume adjustment
controls 38a, and these signals are sent directly to the internal
amplifier.
[0047] FIG. 9b shows an electronic bass drum for an electronic set
wherein the drummer has an external drum module, and doesn't need
an integrated module in the electronic bass drum. Note that input
jacks 38 for drum pads or other electronic instruments are not
required in this case, since commercial drum modules all have these
input jacks built in.
[0048] In both the acoustic and electronic drum setups, the output
from the integral electronic kick pad 34 needs to be routed to an
external drum module, and signals from the external drum module
need to be connected back into the internal amplifier and speaker
systems in the invention. This is accomplished using the signal
jack panel 64 depicted at the left side of the invention.
[0049] FIG. 10 shows a close-up of said panel, comprising an output
jack 65 that takes the signals from the integral electronic kick
pad to an external drum module when said module is connected to
this jack. After the kick pad electronic input is received by said
drum module, a signal is produced, then routed to the input jack 66
which connects to the internal amplifier of the invention.
[0050] Two auxiliary jacks are also depicted in FIG. 10, and these
jacks can be used in any embodiment of the invention. The output
jack for connecting an external amplifier 67 could be used in
situations where the internal amplifier and speakers of the
invention are not powerful enough to be heard by an entire
audience, at a stadium concert for example. The signal from this
jack is produced by the internal amplifier, based upon inputs
received and sound levels commanded by the drummer. This signal
could then conceivably be routed to a huge external amplifier, and
a massive wall of speakers could fill the stadium with sound.
[0051] The input jack for connecting an external amplifier directly
to the loudspeaker or speakers 68 is used when speakers alone are
needed by an external amplifier, and the signal from this jack
bypasses the internal amplifier of the invention and goes directly
to the loudspeakers at the front of the electronic bass drum.
[0052] In order to protect the loudspeakers at the front of the
instrument from dust, debris or physical damage, a cover is
depicted in FIG. 11. This cover could be made out of speaker cloth
or other loosely woven material, so as to allow the sound produced
by the speakers to fully project to the audience. Note that a band
name or other logo 70 could be written on said cover, completing
the mimicry of existing acoustic bass drums.
[0053] As this invention may be embodied in several forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the
present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive,
since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims
rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that
fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such
metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
claims.
* * * * *